Pages

Friday, June 19, 2009

Iced Watermelon Drinks - In the Pink for Foodie Friday and Pink Saturday

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...For years we thought that watermelon was a source of empty calories. Advances in food science and nutrition have proved that not to be the case. While the typical melon is 92% water we've learned that it also contains nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Best of all, it's low in calories and is no longer just a summer food; it's available year-round and, especially important to green kitchens, almost every part of it is edible. I decided it was time to revisit the watermelon. My culinary adventure worked its way through salads and salsas before moving on to sorbets and smoothies. While experimenting with a slushie, I started to think of summer drinks so cold they could quench the thirst of the steamiest summer day. I did a little searching and with the help of Eating Well Recipes I was able to find two recipes that could do just that. One contains alcohol, the other doesn't. Both are gorgeous to look at and when served icy cold they're potential rivals for iced tea and lemonade. Because melons vary in their sweetness, you'll want to adjust sugar content as you go along. The small amount of sugar in these recipes may not be sufficient to your taste. Add more if needed, but do it cautiously. While you can put more in, you can't take it out. I like both these recipes and will prepare them often this summer. I serve them with cubed frozen watermelon instead of ice. A truc to share; use pitchers of different shapes to store alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, so there'll be no surprises as the day wears on.
Watermelon Agua Fresca...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite
Ingredients:
8 cups cubed seeded watermelon (about 6 pounds with the rind), divided
1 cup water, divided
1/3 cup sugar, divided
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
4 cups club soda or seltzer water, well chilled
Lime slices or mint for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1) Combine half the watermelon, half the water and half the sugar in a blender; puree. Pour through a coarse strainer into a large container. Repeat with the remaining watermelon, water and sugar. Stir in lime juice. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 4 hours.
2) To serve, stir in club soda (or seltzer) and garnish with lime. Yield: 10 cups.

I just showed this to my bartender son and he approved. lol.Like that would stop me from enjoying these. Now my mouth is watering and craving a melon. They haven't been very good up in Canada lately. They are coming from Mexico.

Can't get my husband to eat anything watermelon. Will have to wait until we have company! I did, however, spot your recipe for the Key Lime White Chocolate squares. Now that's something that I can try in the very near future...Nancy

I'm saving this link for Watermelon Month in July. Can't say as much for the watermelon in the fridge. The sun is finally out here on Long Island and I'm not taking any chances. I'll be "whipping" this up tonight!!! (with gin:) Thanks for sharing, Mary.

I'm glad to read that the watermelon is actually good for us! I've had a lime gin fizz but the addition of watermelon sounds perfectly refreshing! We have a local steakhouse (Lindey's) that pickles the watermelon rind and serves them with every meal. Just thought you might want to know. ~ Robyn

Hi MaryMy mom used to drink a lovely pink gin fizz on special occasions!! She's 90 now and would love a watermelon one I'm sure.BTW I am not a pro of any kind. I have my little camera that does all the work for me. Thanks for the compliment. Love Claudiexoxoxo

Oh! YUMMY!!! A Watermelon Gin Fizz is sounding PERFECT to me right now! I have already BOOKMARKED this page, and I am ready to PRINT.. with my many thanks to you!! (0; Welcome to Pink Saturday, and hope you have a wonderful week!

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third-parties nor does it store information about your visit for use other than to analyze content performance through the use of cookies, which you can turn off at anytime by modifying your Internet browser's settings. Third party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a a users prior visits to this website. Google's use of the DoubleClick cookie enables it and its partners to serve ads. This blog is not responsible for the republishing of the content found here on other Web sites or media without the owners permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice